Baseball Drops Tough Road Contest

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - In the first game of a three-game series, the IPFW baseball team had a rough go of it as the Mastodons fell to Southeast Missouri State 18-0.

The best scoring opportunity for IPFW (2-3 overall) came in the first inning. After a leadoff double by Tyler Shepherd, Evan VanSumeren put down the sacrifice bunt, moving Shepherd to the third. The next two Mastodon batters would be retired, as IPFW was unable to get another runner to third.

The 'Dons had another runner in scoring position in the second with one out, as Kevin Wirth singled to right and advanced to second on a Redhawk error. IPFW was unable to drive Wirth home as two of the next three batters were retired.

SEMO scored a run in each of the first two innings before breaking down the door in the third, scoring seven runs, capped off by a two-out two-run home run by Cole Ferguson.

The Redhawks added a run in the fourth and the sixth, both coming with two outs. They would cap things off with four runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth.

Shepherd was the lone IPFW play with at least two hits, going 2-for-4 at the dish. Wirth and Shane Trevino also collected a hit for the 'Dons on the afternoon.

On the mound Brandon Pease took the loss for the Mastodons, dropping his record to 1-1 on the year, lasting two innings and allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits.

The two teams will go back at it tomorrow, February 22 for a 3 p.m. (EST) first pitch.